Athletics News

Marian University Participates in Indy Do Day

by
Katie Bradley | Oct 14, 2013

Marian University kicked off the first day of volunteer activities for Indy Do Day, a citywide weekend of volunteerism from October 10-13, with a clean-up project at the Indy Cycloplex on Thursday, October 10. Hundreds of students, faculty, and staff gathered to clean up and beautify the 40-acre park. Participants included Marian University President Daniel J. Elsener, head women’s basketball coach Katie Gearlds and the women’s basketball team, and track coach Mike Holman and members of the track team.

The effort was led by Dean Peterson, head cycling coach, and his team. “The Indy Cycloplex certainly benefited from the amazing work that a variety of groups from campus completed together, but I would say that Marian University benefited even more as people let go of their daily roles, put their phones away, and did some wholesome, hands-on work together,” Coach Peterson said. “Cutting, hauling, and treating acres of honeysuckle can look quite daunting; but, when done together, it becomes a platform for people to get to know each other. I hope we can all ‘flip the switch’ more often and be together again soon doing this kind of work. What a great day!”

Marian University became the manager of the Indy Cycloplex, formally known as the Lake Sullivan Sports Complex, on Wednesday, April 27, 2011. With support from Indianapolis mayor Greg Ballard and the Indianapolis City County Council, the university has begun a new era for this amazing venue.

The park is home to races, clinics, and other events in all five cycling disciplines: road, cyclocross, BMX, track, and mountain bike, as well as community events. Many opportunities exist to promote health and fitness to residents of all ages, as well as create a nationally-recognized cycling facility that can host road, cyclocross, BMX, and track cycling events. The Major Taylor Velodrome is one of less than 30 velodromes in the United States and has hosted many international and national events over the years.

For more information about these events or to schedule activities, visit the Indy Cycloplex website or contact Julie Kukolla, business manager, at jkukolla@marian.edu.